SJKT Pulau Carey Barat needs your help

KUALA LUMPUR: A primary school in Carey Island is one of the schools in dire need for funds and support to deal with the aftermath of the floods.

SJKT Pulau Carey Barat headmistress Kunasundary Veerabadhran said the school building, compound and classrooms have been severely damaged due to the floods following the heavy downpour since Dec 17.

"There are a total of six classrooms, a library, science lab and an Information & Communication Technology (ICT) lab (with over 20 computers), which have been badly damaged.

"It is unfortunate as we have only recently upgraded the desks but they are now soaked in floodwater rendering them useless.

"The water-soaked shelves and cupboards used by teachers and students in the classrooms, library and office also need to be replaced with some of them are on the verge of collapsing.

"Books, tables, chairs, computers, photocopier, office supplies as well as sets of new schoolbags and stationery supplies prepared for the new intake of students next year have been swept away in the flood.

"The flooding also wreaked havoc on the tile floors, damaged walls and the heavy storm opened a hole in the building's roof.

"We need funds to repair the classroom, office, computer lab, science lab, fence and many others although sponsorships in terms of items, furnitures and supplies are more welcomed," she told the New Straits Times.

Kunasundary said floodwater has not completely drained from the school as it is still under 0.6m-deep waters, which is hindering cleaning efforts.

She said the school therefore welcomed the Education Ministry's decision to defer the reopening of schools next year by a week.

She further said the school is also looking for about 50 to 60 volunteers to help with post-flood recovery, which is expected to start on Dec 30.

Kunasundary said the school is seeking to raise RM100,000, which could be contributed to SJKT Pulau Carey Barat Parent-Teacher Association's CIMB account at 8001836989.

"For more information, please contact our PTA spokesperson, Kamalakanan at 019-2352449. Kindly send the receipt and your name for our record.

"We are a relatively small community of 90 students, all of whom are from the B40 family and 10 teachers including myself. Your donation can help a student's life.

"Donations in terms of items and furniture, such as cupboards, shelves, stationery supplies and computers are preferred, which could be sent directly to our school," she added.